Pest identification
What's eating my cyperus papyrus?
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine pale speckling on leaves and stems; fine webbing at the junctions of umbrella rays; leaves yellow and dry out in low humidity
Control: Raise humidity around the plant; mist regularly. Wipe with a damp cloth. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating weekly for 3 weeks.
Mealybugs (Planococcus citri)
Signs: White, waxy cottony masses in stem joints and at the base of the umbrella rays; sticky honeydew
Control: Dab colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem. Repeat every 7–10 days.
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied clusters on tender stems and umbrella ray tips; honeydew and sooty mould
Control: Wipe or rinse off under a tap. Insecticidal soap spray; introduce predatory insects if kept in a greenhouse or sunroom.
Scale insects (soft scale and armoured scale)
Signs: Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps along stems; yellowing foliage and sticky deposits below
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush. Apply neem oil or horticultural oil to smother remaining crawlers. Repeat monthly.
Keep cyperus papyrus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cyperus papyrus pests — FAQ
What is eating my cyperus papyrus?
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) grown as a houseplant or patio plant is most commonly attacked by spider mites in warm, dry indoor conditions. Mealybugs and aphids also infest the umbrella-like heads. Scale insects appear on stems. Fungus gnats can affect container-grown specimens if compost stays waterlogged without proper drainage.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on cyperus papyrus?
Fine pale speckling on leaves and stems; fine webbing at the junctions of umbrella rays; leaves yellow and dry out in low humidity Raise humidity around the plant; mist regularly. Wipe with a damp cloth. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating weekly for 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs (planococcus citri) on cyperus papyrus?
White, waxy cottony masses in stem joints and at the base of the umbrella rays; sticky honeydew Dab colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem. Repeat every 7–10 days.
How do I get rid of aphids on cyperus papyrus?
Soft-bodied clusters on tender stems and umbrella ray tips; honeydew and sooty mould Wipe or rinse off under a tap. Insecticidal soap spray; introduce predatory insects if kept in a greenhouse or sunroom.
How do I get rid of scale insects (soft scale and armoured scale) on cyperus papyrus?
Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps along stems; yellowing foliage and sticky deposits below Scrape off with a soft toothbrush. Apply neem oil or horticultural oil to smother remaining crawlers. Repeat monthly.